NC State Professor Killed in Raleigh Pedestrian Crash, Driver Cited
A 41 year old NC State assistant professor was struck by a vehicle on Clark Avenue in Raleigh on the evening of November 11, and later died from her injuries. The driver, a 19 year old who remained at the scene, was cited with misdemeanor death by vehicle, and the crash remains under investigation, raising questions about pedestrian safety near the university.
Raleigh police reported that shortly after 6:10 p.m. on November 11 a pedestrian was struck by a vehicle on Clark Avenue between Chamberlain Street and Gardner Street. The pedestrian was identified as 41 year old Natalia Duque Wilckens, an assistant professor in NC State University Department of Biological Sciences. She was found with serious injuries, transported to a hospital, and later died from those injuries.
Police said the 19 year old driver stayed at the scene and has been cited with misdemeanor death by vehicle. The crash remains under investigation by Raleigh police. The university confirmed Duque Wilckens role in the department and said it is providing support and resources to the campus community as colleagues and students process the loss.
The collision occurred on a street that runs along the edge of NC State campus and is used by both students and local residents for walking and biking. The location and timing of the incident are likely to focus attention on traffic safety near campus, including street lighting, crosswalk visibility, and vehicular speeds during evening hours. For residents and the university community, the immediate impact is both practical and emotional, as faculty and students seek information about safety and institutional support while grieving.
Beyond the immediate response, the incident highlights policy and institutional issues that affect Wake County neighborhoods adjacent to university corridors. City planners and transportation officials routinely review crash data to target interventions such as improved signage, pedestrian signals, and roadway design changes. Local advocacy groups and neighborhood associations have in past years urged such measures in parts of Raleigh where pedestrian traffic is heavy and roadway conditions may not reflect current patterns of use.
Legal and enforcement outcomes will follow the investigative work by police, and the citation of misdemeanor death by vehicle indicates a criminal process that could include further charges or court proceedings depending on investigative findings. Residents living and working near Clark Avenue will watch for additional public information from law enforcement and the university, including any safety recommendations or changes to campus transit practices.
NC State said it is providing resources to support the campus community as it copes with the loss of a faculty member. For Wake County residents, the collision serves as a sober reminder of the risks pedestrians face in urban corridors and the ongoing need for collaboration among city agencies, the university, and community groups to reduce those risks.
